Cancer Patients Struggle with Rising Treatment Costs in Afghanistan

Cancer patients in Afghanistan are facing shortages of medication and sharply rising costs for anti-cancer drugs, prompting calls for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to reduce treatment expenses and provide free medicines in public hospitals.

Sayed Akhtar Shah, 52, who is receiving treatment at the National Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Hospital in Kabul, said the cost of medication has become unaffordable. “I once bought medicine for over 1,000 Afghanis. Another round cost me between 6,500 and 7,000 Afghanis. By the time you are discharged, one course of treatment can cost between 20,000 and 30,000 Afghanis,” he told TOLOnews.

Dozens of other patients echoed similar concerns. “Our request to the government is that at least our medicines should be provided free of charge in public hospitals,” said Mohammad Ramazan, another cancer patient.

Caregivers are also urging authorities to address the state of cancer treatment and ensure supplies of essential medicines. “Sometimes we find the medicine, but even then it is extremely expensive,” said Nazaruddin, a caregiver.

Khanzada, whose son has been battling cancer for five years, described severe financial hardships. “We are facing many hardships. The medicine is very expensive. We are from a province and have sold our gold and everything we had to pay for my son’s treatment,” she said.

Patients and caregivers highlighted that, despite global medical advancements, those in Afghanistan endure not only physical pain but also heavy financial and psychological burdens due to the high costs of pills, injections and treatments.